For my American family!

From: THE BAHAMAS WEEKLY

On Saturday November 9th Abaco Cancer Society and Friends of the Environment  held the 3rd Annual kayak Challenge.  They were thrilled with the turnout despite high winds and cloudy skies. Due to the high winds participants all stuck together and paddled an 8-mile course through the Bight of Old Robinson creek system in south Abaco. While waters were calm in the creeks, paddling through the bay lived up to the “Challenge” in the name of this event. Some paddlers stopped when they arrived at the Bight of Old Robinson, others continued on to Tom Curry Point, and there were 3 intrepid souls who continued paddling on to Pete’s Pub through very choppy seas.
Marjolein Scott, the Vice President of the Abaco Cancer Society, who kayaked the full 8-mile course stated, “This year’s Kayak Challenge was just that: A Challenge! What an amazing day, ..rough seas, lots of wind and some very determined paddlers. The money raised will go far in helping the Abaco Cancer Society give aid to local cancer patients. A huge thank you to all who came out to support this wonderful annual event!” Kristin Williams, the Executive Director of Friends of the Environment, who was in charge of on-shore organization and registration exclaimed “This is my favorite event of the year! Despite the inclement weather all 40 participants were in the best of spirits both before and after the paddle. Everyone was so excited to be a part of this event. It is a great feeling to see so many people working so hard to support these two important community organizations.”
Funds from the event benefit both the Abaco Cancer Society and Friends of the Environment. Funds were raised through business sponsorships and by the participants raising individual sponsorships. Business sponsors included Abaco Family Medicine, Abaco Petroleum, IE Imports, Marsh Harbour Exporters and Importers, Cherokee Air, Hope Town Harbour Lodge, The Paint Place, Lightbourne Marine, Pete’s Pub & Gallery, Shirley Enterprises, Bon Secours Medical Group, Sands Marine Surveying & Consulting, Abaco Tourist Office, Maxwell’s and , 40 paddlers set out in support of the Abaco Cancer Society  Annual Kayak Challenge. Organizers of the event Chelsea’s Choice.
Although the course covered up to 15 miles in 2012 and 8 miles this year, much of the creek system still remains to be seen. So stay tuned for next year’s event date – another chance to see more of the wonders of the East Abaco Creeks.

Frog, hitching a ride on the plastic duck in the rain barrel..

Spannend!

My beautiful siblings and their kids.

Annemieke and Frits

Kaaj, Tania and Maarten

 Marlynne (due very soon!) and Terri.

In het Pannekoeken huis, wat heb ik jullie gemist!

Brother in law Wray with my niece Milou.

This morning...what a beautiful day..

Early this morning in "Turtle Bay".

Justin and his dad on Eleuthera

Trishka and baby Nina in Nassau.

Crazy Curtis kids!

My Houston Family having fun!

Sander's family!  Marielle and Hendrik are bottom left. Sander in the back, left.

It's always something, right??

Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet arrive in Den Haag.

Milou on Jelle's shoulders, waiting for Sinterklaas to arrive on the big boat from Spain.

Milou and her friends. She seems a little nervous!

Sinterklaas, riding his white horse through the street where Jelle's family lives.

At the end of the day, Milou put a carrot in her boot for the white horse. Sinterklaas will replace that with a small gift.

Above, left to right: Brenda Sawyer, Wynsome Ferguson, Joanne Bradley, Melinda Pinder, Marjolein Scott-van Der Hek, Ruth Saunders and Laura Albury. Theresa Albury is not pictured. The Pink Rose Ball Committee donated a $10,000 cheque to Joanne Bradley and Marjolein Scott-van Der Hek of the Abaco Cancer Society on Nov. 7.


The first Pink Rose Ball event held at Abaco Beach Resort raised $10,000 for the Abaco Cancer Society (ACS) on Oct. 26. Committee members presented the cheque to Joanne Bradley, ACS president, on Nov. 7 at the Government Complex.
Brenda Sawyer and the Pink Rose Ball committee embraced as she thanked the entire community of Abaco for their overwhelming support of the Pink Rose Ball. Because of the support received, Abaco Tourism Manager Wynsome Ferguson expressed that they were happy to present the $10,000-cheque to Bradley and Marjolein Scott-van Der Hek on behalf of the Abaco Cancer Society.
“It means that our efforts were not in vain in the short three weeks that we planned this event,” Ferguson shared. “Kudos to our chairperson – Melinda [Pinder].”
Pinder also congratulated the committee members, who were chosen to work hand-in-hand with her for the worthy cause. She was joined by Ferguson, Sawyer, Laura Albury, and Ruth Saunders. Theresa Albury is also a part of the committee.
“With this team? It was easy,” Pinder boasted.
Bradley and Scott-van Der Hek appeared stunned by the amount collected.
Bradley said: “Our jaws dropped when we heard how much money this group of ladies raised for the Abaco Cancer Society, and we thought about all the people this money is going to help over the years.
“We are just so grateful to everyone in our community for pitching in and making this the most successful event Abaco has ever known.”

FROM THE ABACOINIAN.

We got our new mailbox at the Papaya House. First time ever we have our name on a mailbox!

Storm today!

more kayak photos

 With Buddy and Sheryl, right after the finish.

 With Adam in his truck.

Rigging up the kayak, getting ready at the start.

DID YOU KNOW..??

Did you know that in the Bahamas we have a colour named: Bahama Yellow?

Bahama Yellow has its place in the history of motoring,... especially in the sixties and early seventies.

Porche 912 - 1965..very cool..

Roo and Dr. Buddy.  He left this morning, we had a great week.

Taking a break.

Kayak Challenge!!

Photos from Buddy's camera.  This is what it looked like in front of the house this morning before we left for Little Harbour!

Happy girl listening to my music. Pretty choppy!

MADE IT!!

3rd ANNUAL KAYAK CHALLENGEThis year's shirt.

This year's shirt.

Chris came down from the Carolinas to join us.

Taking a break. Weather was dry, but seas were pretty rough. This was one of the few calm spots.

On the way back home it started raining!